Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow will open the Americana Music Festival and Conference with the Keynote address on Thurs., Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. His address will be followed immediately by an Artist Development panel moderated by NPR Music’s Ann Powers and featuring Joy Williams and John Paul White of The Civil Wars, and members of their marketing and promotion team.

A stellar line-up of panels were announced today for the event running Oct. 12-15 in Nashville. There will be approximately 40 educational sessions, mostly centered at the downtown Sheraton, and 100 musical showcases at local venues.

The conference is curated by Americana Director of Operations and Conference Producer Danna Strong along with Logan Rogers, Casey Summar, Seth Wilson, Rachel Barnhard, Jessie Scott and Rick Star, and in partnership with other not-for-profit organizations The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville and the Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Early Bird Registration closes Oct. 10, which includes a ticket to the Americana Honors & Awards show on Oct. 13. Tickets for the Honors and Awards are available separately for $65 at ryman.com. For more information call (615) 386-6936 or visit www.americanamusic.org.